No, but something other than the rocky track that seemed to be the same from stage 2 until Peru. I say seemed because from a spectators position, this is what it seemed like to me. Perhaps it's difficult in the relatively populated countries, but I would rather see things trend back to longer, less technical, more varied terrain with an emphasis on navigation rather than what seemed like shorter, more technical, enduro-ish stages of 2012. But this is juts my far away view.

Then again, I always liked the Saharan expanse way more than the early Moroccan stages.

No, but something other than the rocky track that seemed to be the same from stage 2 until Peru. I say seemed because from a spectators position, this is what it seemed like to me. Perhaps it's difficult in the relatively populated countries, but I would rather see things trend back to longer, less technical, more varied terrain with an emphasis on navigation rather than what seemed like shorter, more technical, enduro-ish stages of 2012. But this is juts my far away view.

Then again, I always liked the Saharan expanse way more than the early Moroccan stages.

I hear ya

I think they do the best they can given the terrain, that being said it would seem they could have made the days longer for the riders. Freaking Ned kept showing up early and interrupting cocktail hour

I was hoping to see the bikes navigating by cap across the salt flats in Bolivia next year. Oh well, suppose Peru has a bunch more to offer than what was utilized this year.

Seriously, I'm gutted there is no Bolivia and pissed that it starts late. Don't they know that some of us are supposed to be working? What was Ettienne thinking? Truth be told the Salar De Uyuni in Bolivia is full of water this time of year and the altitude is high enough for us to have a episode of Survivor with the helicopter pilots to see who will make it.

The good news is that I am entering this year. I'm going to need some financial help to get there though... More on this soon.

__________________Dreaming of Dakar
-Everyone has a max speed, 90% of that max speed is much safer and easier, and if that 90% speed isn't fast enough at Dakar, you enter the snowball. - neduro

The good news is that I am entering this year. I'm going to need some financial help to get there though... More on this soon.

Can we assume you are running the same WR450 you ran in Dos Sertos? The Springbok returns! Or was that the Boki or something or rather? Your thread on the DS was most excellent. Now you have a set a high bar for a similar Dakar thread...

If you're still running the WR, I know of a couple of well used bikes here in KSA that may be coming available this summer. Not mine though.